how to cancel a MS card

soolin

The brief scenario is that my OH took out a Morgan Stanley credit card about two years ago with me as a second card holder. Used the card once, didn't like the terms and conditions and wrote and cancelled it a few months later. All was fine for a year or so then we got details of change of conditions so he wrote and explained that card should have been cancelled, and if not to cancel account straight away. Didn't hear anything for a few more months and then last month got another letter about change of terms.

Wrote again and explained the whole lot and again thought that was the end of it. Yesterday I get a new card through the post!

I've just called them and as a card holder I can access my balance and do all sorts of personal things, but I can't close the account as it is not mine. They say they can only close it if the main cardholder supplies his password by telephone, but there is no password, it was so long ago that we haven't a hope in hell of remembering it even if we had one on there. They are absolutely adamant though that the acocunt remains open until such time we can recall the password and formally close it down.

So, any suggestions how on earth we get round this? They do not even acknowledge letters sent to them and we are concerned that having an unused account might make it difficult for us to ever spot if the account is used fraudulently as of course we never get any statements.

jonesMUFCforever

Either write to their complaints department - or embarrass them by taking it to the press.

missile

Had a similar problem when trying to close Abbey account. There unaswerable security question was "on what date did you open the account?"

soolin

I think my OH may have resolved it. He phoned back and explained that since the account was unwanted and was open against our express requirements that we would write and formally deny any further responsibility for it. He stated that the letter would be sent special delivery and copies filed away carefully in case there was ever any evidence of fraud with the account, and that on the day the letter was signed for by them we would take that as their acceptance that they take on all responsibility for fraud and other problems.

Apparently the account will now be closed as soon as we write to confirm the telephone conversation!

Tirian

Good response ... although I wouldn't bother with Special Delivery. In this case, since the requirement is for the signature rather than any inherent value or necessity of next-day delivery, recorded delivery would be equally as good and a fraction the cost.

Lo_zingaro

Hi Soolin - and well done the OH!

It has long been my experience that that success comes once some of these slack-jawed morons realise that they are dealing with someone with a bit of intelligence. Of course the key is the formal letter, addressed personally to someone high up in the organisation, and sent by recorded delivery if the circumstances merit the expense. Better still, of course, if you can quote the appropriate piece of legislation.

Anyway - good result - even if it is only what common sense should dictate.